We use cookies to collect and analyse information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and
customise content and advertisements. By clicking "OK" or by clicking into any content on this site, you
agree to allow cookies to be placed. To find out more visit the cookies section of our
privacy policy.

ITTF announce 17 Challenge Series events for 2019

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will hold 17 Challenge Series events in the 2019 season, eight more than this year, they have announced.

Nine of the events will take place in cities that have never previously hosted a Challenge Series tournament, and there will be at least one on each continent.

The ITTF have also announced that the Series will be split into two tiers for the first time, with the top tier being called Challenge Plus.

This level will offer more prize money and more ranking points.

"The increased amount of ITTF Challenge Series events shows the increased interest in organising table tennis events and the proven success of the change of our world rankings at the start of 2018," said ITTF chief executive Steve Dainton.

"These 17 events added to our 13 ITTF World Tour events means that we have 30 Tour events in 2019, which provides our players with immense value and fits in with the ITTF's strategy of having a fully professionally run global tour by 2021."

About the author

Prior to joining insidethegames.biz in June 2018, James worked as a broadcast journalist at Celador Radio in Bristol, where he read the drivetime news across seven stations in the South West of England. He graduated from the University of Exeter in 2016 with a 2:1 in History, before completing a Masters in Broadcast Journalism at Salford University. James’ passion lies in sport. He has a golf handicap of nine, is a qualified windsurfing instructor, regularly plays hockey and tennis and has previously competed in the long jump at a national level. His first trip with insidethegames.biz was to cover IOC Executive Board meetings in Lausanne, while he has since covered the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.

inside the photos

Fact of the day

At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili was disqualified for weighing in at nearly four pounds above the limit for his weight class of his under-66 kilograms match against an Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the first round. It was claimed Miresmaeili had gone on an eating binge to protest the International Olympic Committee's recognition of the state of Israel. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel, and Miresmaeili's actions won praise from high-ranking Iranian officials. Mohammad Khatami, the country's President at the time, was quoted as saying Miresmaili's actions would be "recorded in the history of Iranian glories". He was later awarded $125,000 by the Government - the same amount given to Olympic gold medallists.

Featured Job

Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation through Winning England Teams. The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England. We are responsible for promoting and developing the game at all levels; from grassroots through to the professional game, The FA Cup and the England International teams, and our two core assets: Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park. As England Women's Senior Head Coach you will be expected to build a winning England Women's Senior Team, which respects and lives the philosophy and values of The FA.